State superintendent won't meet with teachers

Friday

Jan 3, 2014 at 8:00 AM

State Superintendent Janet Barresi says she has no plans to meet with an Oklahoma association that represents about 35,000 teachers, school staff and retirees.

Oklahoma Education Association President Linda Hampton said Thursday she was surprised to learn Barresi had turned down the group's request to have her speak to their members. In a press release on Wednesday, Barresi said she didn't want to have her views "filtered through the lens of liberal union bosses."

Hampton said the group typically meets with all candidates who are running for state superintendent before deciding which candidates to recommend to their members.

On her campaign website, Barresi did answer questions posed to her from the OEA, including her support for shifting newly hired teachers to a 401(k)-style retirement plan.